Congress Passes Laws; Trump Administration Ignores Some of Them
by Amy West, GovTrack.us, Dec. 19, 2025
One characteristic of the current Trump Administration has been a disregard for laws if they don't align with Administration goals. One of the most influential members of the Administration, both in terms of influence on Trump himself as well as control over the flow of funds from the government, is the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. He said in 2024
“I don’t want President Trump having to lose a moment of time having fights in the Oval Office about whether something is legal or doable or moral.”
And, well, the Administration has not. Sometimes the choices are relatively trivial, like adding Trump's name to the Kennedy Center even though the name is set by Congress and they haven't changed it. Sometimes, it's not trivial as in the case of the various strikes on boats in the Caribbean. Even if one finds the Administration's various claims about shooting down boats persuasive, killing survivors of strikes is clearly illegal.
There are many more examples of this approach but today we'll start with one of the more contentious issues the Trump Administration has faced.
Epstein Files
Today, December 19, 2025 is the day that all the Department of Justice files on Jeffrey Epstein were to be released. A month ago, both chambers passed the bill and then the President signed it. However, as of this morning, and in contravention of the text of the law, the Administration says it will only release some files today and the rest will be released as the Administration says they're ready.
Another Discharge Petition
This week four House Republicans signed onto an otherwise entirely Democratic discharge petition to force the House to hold a vote on extending the subsidies for health insurance premiums for people who get their health insurance via the Obamacare Marketplace.
In response, Speaker Johnson adjourned the House a day early to ensure the vote would not take place before the subsidies end and premium costs would rise for millions of people.
Because it's a discharge petition, the bill will get a vote. Just not until January. If it passes though, it will still have to get through the Senate. It's very likely that the Senate would amend the bill in some way and send it back to the House. So whether the subsidies get extended after all remains very much up in the air.
New Laws
S. 222: Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 passed by voice vote.
S. 284: Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act passed by voice vote.
S. 216: Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act passed by voice vote.
S. 2878: Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act passed by voice vote.
S. 284: Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act passed 370-22.
S. 1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 passed the Senate by 77-20. The NDAA includes a decrease in the Secretary of Defense's travel budget unless he releases full video of the various boat strikes this fall. The Secretary of Defense says he will not release the videos, so will the Administration stay within the authorized travel budget?
Bills Passed in the House Only
All of the bills below will have to pass the Senate before they become law.
H.R. 3187: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes passed 388-0
H.R. 4371: Kayla Hamilton Act, which would allow invasive exams of children for tattoos or gang-related markings, passed 225-201.
H.R. 3616: Reliable Power Act, which would require assessments of new plans for reliability, passed 225-203.
H.R. 3632: Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025, which would require assessments of plants or components to be retired, passed 222-202.
H.R. 4776: SPEED Act, which would speed up energy project approvals passed, but only after an anti-wind power amendment was added, by 221-196.
H.R. 1366: Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, which would override a 2022 court decision and restore mining rules in effect before that decision, passed 219-198.
The bills below, all of which received a vote, passed with fewer votes overall in support than the ACA health insurance premium subsidies discharge petition has. Why did they come to the floor? Well, because these bills are primarily supported by Republicans while the ACA one is not.
H.R. 6703: Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act , which includes a number of provisions intended to lower premium costs, but does not include an extension of the subsidies in contention, passed 216-211.
H.R. 3492: Protect Children’s Innocence Act, which would criminalize gender affirming health care for minors, passed 216-211.
H.R. 498: Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, which would ban gender affirming health care for minors receiving Medicaid, passed 215-201.
H.R. 845: Pet and Livestock Protection Act, which would remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list, passed 211-204.
The Realities of Trying to Get a Bill Passed
The Bulwark published a story today about the realities of trying to get a pediatric cancer bill passed. It highlights a basic question that legislators face all the time: when is a bill good enough to warrant a vote in support? What if opposing the bill now sets up that bill plus others that are also important to the legislator for passage later? What if that bet turns out to be wrong and none of the bills ever get passed? Highly recommended read.
Congress will not return until after New Years, so you probably won't hear from us either until then. We hope any holidays you already are celebrating or plan to celebrate soon are joyful and we'll see you in a few weeks.
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Weekly Updates
Dec. 15, 2025, 5:27 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1071
Cloture Motion Agreed to 76/20
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 15, 2025, 6:55 p.m. — Vote
S. 284: Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act
Passed 370/22
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 15, 2025, 7:02 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3187: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes.
Passed 388/0
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 16, 2025 — Introduced
H.R. 6769: To authorize the Attorney General to make grants available to support State, Tribal, and local firearm destruction activities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2]
This bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary which will consider it before sending it to the House floor for consideration.
3 cosponsors are on that committee.
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2].
Dec. 16, 2025, 2 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 951: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4776) to amend the National Environmental …
Passed 215/207
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 16, 2025, 2:32 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 951: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4776) to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to clarify ambiguous provisions and facilitate a more efficient, effective, and timely environmental review process; providing for cons
Passed 215/209
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 16, 2025, 4:47 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 4371: Kayla Hamilton Act
Failed 208/218
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 16, 2025, 4:53 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 4371: Kayla Hamilton Act
Passed 225/201
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 16, 2025, 4:59 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 3632: Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025
Failed 207/218
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 16, 2025, 5:05 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3632: Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025
Passed 222/202
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 10:52 a.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 953: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6703) to ensure access to affordable …
Passed 204/203
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 11:06 a.m. — Vote
H.Res. 953: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6703) to ensure access to affordable health insurance; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 498) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit Federal Medicaid funding for gen
Passed 213/209
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 11:39 a.m. — Vote
S. 1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Motion Agreed to 77/20
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 12:26 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Jared Isaacman, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Cloture Motion Agreed to 67/30
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 2:38 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN650: Jared Isaacman, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Nomination Confirmed 67/30
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 3:18 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Douglas Weaver to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Douglas Weaver, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2026
Cloture Motion Agreed to 69/27
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 5:41 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN645-2: Douglas Weaver, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2026
Nomination Confirmed 71/29
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:01 p.m. — Vote
H.Con.Res. 61: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere.
Failed 210/216
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:08 p.m. — Vote
H.Con.Res. 64: To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.
Failed 211/213
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:14 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3616: Reliable Power Act
Passed 225/203
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:21 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 6703: Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act
Failed 210/218
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:27 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 6703: Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act
Passed 216/211
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: En Bloc Nominations Provided for Under the Provisions of S. Res. 412: Scott Mayer, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2029
Cloture Motion Agreed to 53/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:34 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 3492: Protect Children’s Innocence Act
Failed 210/218
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 17, 2025, 6:40 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 3492: Protect Children’s Innocence Act
Passed 216/211
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025 — Introduced
H.R. 6901: To establish the Atomic Civilians Commemorative Service Medal, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2]
This bill was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services which will consider it before sending it to the House floor for consideration.
Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2] is a member of the committee.
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2].
Dec. 18, 2025, 12:19 p.m. — Vote
S.J.Res. 82: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Policy on Adhering to
Joint Resolution Defeated 50/50
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Yea
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Yea
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:21 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 138 (Clyde) to H.R. 4776: To clarify that direct harm does not include emotional, aesthetic, or recreational harm unaccompanied by a material physical or property harm.
Failed 205/220
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:27 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 139 (Roy) to H.R. 4776: To revise the scope of review clause so the bill clarifies that NEPA review only applies to environmental impacts that the lead agency or cooperating federal agencies have the legal authority to regulate.
Failed 208/214
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:30 p.m. — Vote
H.Amdt. 140 (Roy) to H.R. 4776: To define further what significant effects will trigger an Environmental Impact Statement.
Failed 204/217
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:36 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 4776: SPEED Act
Failed 206/211
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:39 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 4776: SPEED Act
Passed 221/196
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:42 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 1366: Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Failed 205/213
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:45 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1366: Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Passed 219/198
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:48 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 845: Pet and Livestock Protection Act
Failed 204/213
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:52 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 845: Pet and Livestock Protection Act
Passed 211/204
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:55 p.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 498: Do No Harm in Medicaid Act
Failed 204/212
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 2:59 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 498: Do No Harm in Medicaid Act
Passed 215/201
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
Trackers: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2], Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 7:42 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN416-9 and PN141-12 and PN499-12 and PN465-1 and PN345-14 and PN345-13 and PN345-10 and PN55-2 and PN624-2 and PN624-1 and PN379-17 and PN379-16 and PN416-6 and PN519-2 and PN445-3 and PN416-12 and PN55-7 and PN345-12 and PN465-2 and PN55-26 and PN55-10 and PN416-2 and PN379-20 and PN246-6 and PN560-3 and PN462-3 and PN462-1 and PN416-5 and PN518-5 and PN499-10 and PN499-2 and PN462-4 and PN141-10 and PN26-24 and PN445-10 and PN445-7 and PN445-2 and PN379-4 and PN246-12 and PN141-27 and PN141-8 and PN129-17 and PN129-1 and PN60-17 and PN60-11 and PN60-4 and PN22-11 and PN445-5 and PN466-9 and PN466-8 and PN466-7 and PN447 and PN141-5 and PN499-8 and PN345-8 and PN246-3 and PN246-11 and PN60-8 and PN445-11 and PN416-4 and PN379-15 and PN379-13 and PN379-11 and PN141-20 and PN141-25 and PN246-2 and PN26-47 and PN60-13 and PN26-26 and PN379-19 and PN445-1 and PN379-26 and PN379-22 and PN416-3 and PN379-9 and PN379-3 and PN379-18 and PN246-1 and PN141-14 and PN416-10 and PN379-21 and PN55-13 and PN129-6 and PN55-44 and PN141-39 and PN379-7 and PN246-13 and PN246-4 and PN141-26 and PN141-22 and PN141-16 and PN129-7 and PN60-12 and PN55-34 and PN141-2 and PN26-37 and PN25-2: Daniel Aronowitz, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor
Nomination Confirmed 53/43
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 8:25 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Joshua Simmons to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency: Joshua Simmons, of Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency
Cloture Motion Agreed to 53/43
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 8:58 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Keith Bass to be Assistant Secretary of Defense: Keith Bass, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense
Cloture Motion Agreed to 58/36
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 9:24 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Alexander C. Van Hook to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana: Alexander C. Van Hook, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana
Cloture Motion Agreed to 60/35
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.
Dec. 18, 2025, 9:42 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Sara Bailey to be Director of National Drug Control Policy: Sara Bailey, of Texas, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy
Cloture Motion Agreed to 51/42
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
Trackers: Roll Call Votes.